The Huskies’ summer softball team split four games over the weekend at a tournament in Junction City.
They opened the tournament defeating a Eugene team 5-1, Coach Steve Hummer said. Tasha Saunders pitched the first couple of innings and then took a line drive that injured her leg, so the team was running a little shorthanded the rest of the weekend.
The Huskies didn’t hit well in this tournament, Hummer said, but at times they did enough to get the win.
Their next game, the Huskies struggled at the plate against Elmira, losing 6-0.
Bayli Riggs pitched well, he said, but the team was lethargic at the plate.
“Teams have hitting slumps, and we were in one,” Hummer said.
On Sunday, the Huskies still weren’t hitting well, but they were more competitive, Hummer said. They lost 2-1 to Eagle Point.
Kristin Tolle, Riggs and Audrey McClean of Lebanon all had hits in the game, Hummer said.
“We played really good defense, and made some really good plays,” he said.
They ended the tournament 8-0 against a team from Vancouver, Wash., by turning to bunting and stealing to score.
Ashley Cochran got a couple of good bunts and stolen bases, Hummer said. Hailee Huenergardt had a hit, while Megan Rubidoux and Shelby Gillespie both put down a couple of good bunts each.
“We had some runs on their errors and some because we were executing,” Hummer said.
It was nice to see the girls compete even when the hits were scarce, he said. “Don’t keep doing something. Do something else to compete.”
Total, they gave up nine runs in four games, Hummer said, showing good defense and good pitching.
The team plays next in the 16B division state tournament at Junction City July 10-12.
The 14B team competes in its state tournament this weekend, Hummer said. The team placed third in two tournaments and has played well, with good defense, the past couple of weeks; so it is hoping to do well in the tournament.